Trailer Boats articles from September 2004

Trailer Boats archives from September 2004

Big ticket surprise.(On Plane)
September 1, 2004... I wonder how many wives have been "surprised"--pleasantly or otherwise--by having their husbands bring home a new boat unannounced? (Hint: I bet it closely matches the number of hubbies who got to spend the next month sleeping on the sofa.) ...

Top or bottom.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I want to settle an argument that comes up while we're sitting around the boat ramp watching other people retrieve their boats. Should the winch strap be on the top or bottom of the winch? Thanks for settling this. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

First-year boaters.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... We have our first year of boating under our belts and are now finishing up our second season at Rock River in Wisconsin. After three years of reviewing the boats in your magazine, we finally bought a 20-foot Crestliner pontoon. I find your...

Sun protection factor.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2004... I have long been awaiting a feature on hardtop boats in the over-20-foot range. I, as do many other boaters, have skin cancer and cannot be exposed to the sun without consequence. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The so-called tops and T-tops...

No bowriding, please.(Prop Wash)
September 1, 2004... When my subscription runs out, I won't be renewing. I've got no objection to [showing] broads on boats, but [showing] "bowriding" is illegal--and with no personal flotation devices (PFDs), it's dumb. You should be promoting safe boating, not...

College pals share 'Over the Transom' prize.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... Jarod Hynson's submission of the Royal Flush Tour garnered the most votes in Trailer Boats' 2003 "Best of Over the Transom" contest, but the Denver, Pennsylvania, "plunger head" wasn't the only winner: He plans to share his grand prize Four...

'Over the Transom' Meguiar's winners.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... As part of Trailer Boats' 2003 "Best of Over the Transom" photo contest, we drew 30 names at random from among those who voted for their favorite photo. Each winner will receive a Meguiar's (800/347-5700; meguiars.com) Boat Owner's Maintenance...

Louisiana poised to raise PWC age requirement.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... As Trailer Boats went to press, the Louisiana State Senate passed a proposal that, if signed into law by Governor Kathleen Blanco, would raise the minimum age for personal watercraft operators from 13 to 16. According to the Personal Watercraft...

Partnership to stop bottom trawling receives donation.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... Major marine retailer West Marine and the Repass/Rodgers Foundation, a philanthropic organization headed by West Marine founder and Chairman Randy Repass and his wife Sally-Christine Rodgers, have donated $100,000 to a partnership recently...

Getting personal: PWC must-haves.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... If you're thinking about buying a personal watercraft and wondering what else you will need to maximize the experience, here are a few tips from some avid enthusiasts. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SAFETY FIRST ...

Just Cruisin': Classic chrissy speedster makes splashy debut.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... This summer marks the unveiling of the Chris-Craft Speedster, a sporty little number with looks that are reminiscent of the classic lines for which Chris-Craft boats have long been known. The 20-foot, 2-inch fiberglass Speedster features a...

In tow: Ford unveils new Super Dutys.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... Shortly before presstime, Ford announced that its upgraded Super Duty pickups will boast more towing and payload capacity for 2005. The new F-350 tow rating gets bumped up as high as 17,000 pounds (when towing fifth-wheel trailers), thanks to a...

Ski locker: Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV offers room to stretch.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... The sharing of ideas between sterndrive runabouts and inboard ski and wakeboard boats continues with the unveiling of the 2004 Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV. The new V-drive model offers the benefits of inboard power but, with the engine placed aft,...

Watertoy profile: 2005 Hyperlite Roam.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... The first 2005 wakeboard to be released is the Roam by Hyperlite. This board is in line with Hyperlite's game plan of producing boards that encourage wakeboarders to develop their own unique riding styles. Hyperlite has been at the core of...

Overwides only: Parker 2500 SE at home inshore or offshore.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... Let's not beat around the bush. Parker's 2500 Special Edition is the Ford Excursion of midsized center consoles. The Beaufort, North Carolina, boatbuilder is well known for its no-nonsense approach, and boaters value these craft for their stout...

Reader survey results.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... In our July issue, we asked readers how much time they spend cleaning and covering their craft after each trip. According to our poll on TrailerBoats.com, the answers tend to group according to boat size, with owners of larger vessels more...

Question of the month.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... How many days do you anticipate boating after Labor Day before you put 'er away for the season? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * 0 to 4 days * 5 to 9 days * 10 or more days * We boat year-round To register your answer, go to...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
September 1, 2004... When spraying an extinguisher on a fire, should it be aimed at the top or base of the flames? The effective range of a 15-pound C[O.sub.2] fire extinguisher is: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] a. 2 to 4 feet b. 3 to 8 feet c. 9 to 12...

The hole truth.(Boat Improvement)
September 1, 2004... Whether you are adding a washdown system or upgrading to a larger bilge pump, there may come a time when you will have to install a new through-hull fitting. If you are adding a bait tank, for example, you will need a water inlet to keep the...

Compass points.(Boating Basics)
September 1, 2004... We were completely turned around. Making matters worse, the blanket of clouds that muted the autumn sunlight had begun to darken. We needed to get back to the ramp before the storm, but which way was it? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Totally wired.(Propulsion Report)
September 1, 2004... For years, outboard and sterndrive shift-and-throttle functions have been controlled by push-pull cables. It is likely this technology will continue for the immediate future in all but the top-of-the-line engines. Eventually, however,...

In search of Eden: Join us as we cruise the St. Johns River from Florida's bustling coast to its rustic interior.(TBM Destination)
September 1, 2004... There are two faces to Florida: the trendy coastline with its crowded beaches, condos and traffic jams on every business street, and the fish-camp side--the interior sweetwater habitats where time moves slowly and fishing is king. Some call the...

Ideal wheels: picking the perfect propeller can be hit or miss. Here's how to choose wisely, grasshopper.
September 1, 2004... Selecting the right propeller was relatively simple in the early days. The choice of material was generally limited to aluminum--or occasionally bronze for Mercury outboards. And, particularly in the sterndrive field, one of three pitches...

Dangerous curves: four Winns restyles its 200 Horizon for 2005, and we get the first look at this curvy new sportboat.(World Premiere!)
September 1, 2004... Sterndrive runabouts keep getting sleeker. Curves and contours are replacing straight lines, and colors are getting sharper and bolder. Upholstery is not only becoming more comfortable, but more elegant, as well. Case in point: Four Winns'...

Bantamweight brawl: it's a fight to the finish as we turn five 90 hp outboards loose on the bayous of Mississippi.(Ehlert Exclusive!)
September 1, 2004... Pound for pound, they pack a mean punch. We're talking about the new bantamweight outboards--90 hp mills, to be exact. There have been a number of developments in this class--including Evinrude's new E-Tec and Mercury's 1.5L OptiMax--and it...

Upper deck: Monterey hits a home run with its 263 Explorer Sport.(Test)
September 1, 2004... Not often are we afforded the opportunity to test a boat twice before writing about it, but such was the case with Monterey's sleek, new-for-2004 Explorer 263 Sport deck boat. Just to see how this 375 hp Volvo Penta 8.1L-powered rig would fare...

Reunion tour: tow-testing GMC's Yukon is like reminiscing with an old friend.(Test)
September 1, 2004... Judging by what we see on the road and at boat ramps, the GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe are popular tow vehicles. It's been a little more than three years since we tested either of these rigs, so we thought it was high time we revisited an old...

Clean sweep: rebuilding your EFI engine's fuel injectors can restore waning performance.
September 1, 2004... Electronic-fuel-injected outboards have been in production for more than 20 years. Mercury kicked off the EFI push in 1983 by debuting its Hi-Performance 2.4L EFI, and followed up in 1987 with the Laser 220 V-6. MerCruiser joined in and began...

Right side.(Tech Letters)
September 1, 2004... I have a simple question but have been unable to find the answer. Why are most boat steering wheels on the starboard side and not on the port side as they are in cars? Ron Williams Montgomery, Alabama The operator of a powerboat...

Where to find it.(Tech Letters)
September 1, 2004... I own a 1985 Beachcraft Offshore 195 cuddy cabin, which I purchased new. The original dealer is no longer in business nor do I think is Beachcraft. I need replacement windows (port lights) for the cabin. The original windows are a unique shape...

Shift switch.(Tech Letters)
September 1, 2004... Ever since the shift interrupt spring on our 5.7L MerCruiser/Alpha 1 was replaced (recall No. 200761), our 2000 Sea Ray doesn't like to disengage in reverse. Does the shift interrupt switch cut out juice to the ignition when engaging or...

Torque steer.(Tech Letters)
September 1, 2004... I have a 2000 Fisher deck boat with a 1997 Mercury 150 EFI. I have been running a Mercury 17-inch-pitch, three-blade prop that is cupped to approximately 18 inches of pitch. I had the engine set as low as possible to help keep the bow up in...

Tongue weight limits.(Tow Car)
September 1, 2004... You tested the Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab with the new Hemi V-8 in the July issue ("Hemi Hauler"). I have this same truck, and your test impressions seem just about right--or at least they jibe with my experience. I do have one question that you...

Death of the tow car.(Tow Car)
September 1, 2004... I just purchased a Century 2100 bay boat with a Yamaha 130. The vehicle I was planning to tow it with is a 2000 Lincoln Town Car with the 4.6L V-8. I had a 3500-pound hitch put on it, as I was told this was correct, but now I find this is...

Too steep a driveway.(Tow Car)
September 1, 2004... My boat is a 2002 Moomba Outback skier and my tow vehicle is powerful enough to tow it without trouble. The real problem is my driveway--it's so steep that the underside of the Moomba's trailer (the cross-member that cradles and protects the...

Two trailer tango.(Tow Car)
September 1, 2004... I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD pickup, a 24-foot fifth-wheel travel trailer and a 17-foot fishing boat. I would love to tow this all in one train. Is this legal in Florida? What about other states? Don Peterson Fort Lauderdale,...

Chain gang.(Tow Car)
September 1, 2004... At the ramp, I always check out how other guys have their trailers rigged up to their tow vehicles, and I see a lot of variation in the way the safety chains are set. Some are very loose and almost drag on the ground. Some chains are crossed,...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
September 1, 2004... Maintaining proper tire pressure is just as important for your trailer as it is for your tow vehicle. We recommend that you keep the air pressure in your trailer tires at the cold-pressure maximum. Get a good tire-pressure gauge and use it...

Keep things sparkling with Meguiar's kits.(Gotta Have It)
September 1, 2004... Do you turn green with envy when you think about the lucky winners of Trailer Boats' drawing for the Boat Owners Maintenance Kits from Meguiar's (800/347-5700; meguiars.com)? While that kit was tailor made especially for Trailer Boats, for $36...

New angle on transducers.(Gotta Have It)
September 1, 2004... If you like the idea of having a through-hull transducer that delivers an almost perfectly vertical beam, consider Airmar's new Tilted Element Transducer (TET). Because it features built-in deadrise compensation, the TET is well suited for...

Bright idea.(Gotta Have It)
September 1, 2004... Entering your boat's cabin doesn't have to feel like entering a cave thanks to fixtures by Innovative Lighting (515/388-1011; innovative light.com). The company's 12-volt fluorescent dome light not only lends a touch of elegance to boat...